How to identify risky medications for older adults

Many family caregivers know that medications can cause side-effects in older people, and may worry that perhaps their loved ones are being affected by medications.

It’s a very reasonable concern to have. Studies have shown that older adults, especially those taking multiple prescription medications, often experience potentially serious side-effects from their medications.

But having talked with many family caregivers over the years, I’ve found that even the savvy ones often haven’t heard of the “Beer’s List.”

Great that you are trying to organize your mother’s medical information!

Unfortunately, I don’t have a particular program to recommend at this time. I haven’t researched newer programs for a few years now. New services can be quite innovative but some of them fold or get bought out quickly. Microsoft Healthvault is older and well-established; it hasn’t been revamped in a while, as far as I know, but does work. Alternatively, some people use information/note-keeping apps such as Evernote, or OneNote, or even Dropbox. I have more on tools to keep medical information here:Tools for caregivers: Keeping & Organizing Medical Information

Try the CareZone App. You can track medications, refills, doctors contact info, appointments, journal routine and unexpected events including flu shot dates, etc, record copies of insurance and ID cards, and SO much more! Been my favorite for MANY years!

Find It Here

Follow Better Health While Aging

Disclaimer

The material on this site, including any exchanges in the comments section of the blog, is for informational and educational purposes only.

Any comments Dr. Kernisan may make regarding an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a physician-patient relationship between Dr. Kernisan and a caregiver, or care recipient.

None of Dr. Kernisan’s website or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.